Mario Ancic

by By Simon Cambers
iol.co.za

Den Bosch, Netherlands - Croatia's Mario Ancic underlined his grasscourt credentials on Sunday, beating defending champion Michael Llodra 7-5 6-4 to win the Ordina Open.

The third seed, a semifinalist at Wimbledon last year and the 10th seed next week, produced an outstanding serving display and broke once in each set to claim his first ATP title.

"It's a great feeling, a relief," said Ancic, who had lost his two previous finals.

"I felt really confident out there and from the first point to the last point, I was playing really great tennis."

In soaring temperatures, Ancic dropped just three points on serve in the opening set and broke Llodra in the 11th game when the Frenchman double-faulted.

Llodra had tamed the big serve of Australian wildcard Mark Philippoussis in the semi-finals, but he could only laugh at times as ace after ace went past his racket.

The Frenchman saved two break points in the fifth game of the second set but Ancic ripped a forehand winner to break and held his nerve to clinch victory as Llodra's attempted pass found the bottom of the net.

Ancic was the last man to beat two-time defending champion Roger Federer at Wimbledon, and the Croat said he felt better prepared than ever before for a crack at the title, having lost to American Andy Roddick in the semi-finals last year.

"I think this is great preparation for Wimbledon," he said.

As for Federer, Ancic said the world number one would take some stopping at Wimbledon again this year.

"He won Halle for the third year in a row, and he showed even in Paris that he is playing unbelievable," Ancic said.

"His mindset is that he wants to win Wimbledon and it's extremely tough to beat him.

"You have to play unbelievable tennis and hope that he is not having his best day."